Beijing Imperial Academy (also named Beijing Guozijian, Beijing Imperial College) was first built in 1306, and it was the highest administrative organ to the educational management as well as the top one seat of learning during the Yuan (1271–1368), the Ming (1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1911) Dynasties. Overview Imperial academy is a kind of university in ancient China, and the history can be traced back to the Sui Dynasty (581–618). In ancient times, scholars who could do studies in imperial academy were regarded as sons of fortune. Up to now, Beijing Imperial Academy is the last one, going through Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is next to Beijing Confucian Temple and Yonghe Lama Temple. Facing south, the imperial academy features symmetrical architectural complex. On the central axis of the architectural complex, situate Jixian Gate, Taixue Gate, Memorial Archway, Biyong Hall, Yilun Hall and Jingyi Pavilion. All of them are architectural essence of Chinese traditional architectures, showing the unique architectural style of ancient China. guozijian street The memorial archway in Beijing Imperial Academy is the only memorial archway built for education in China. The banners of the both sides are inscribed by emperor, symbolizing that the country pays a lot of attention on education. Piyong Hall is the main architecture in the imperial academy. It was built in 1784, and is the place for emperors in the Qing Dynasty giving lectures. Located in the very central of the imperial academy, Piyong Hall has large doors in all directions, multiple eaves, pyramidal roof, and quadrate shape. Piyong Hall is surrounded by gallery, and four delicate bridges stretching over the pool lead visitors to the hall. Yilun Hall is located to the north of Piyong Hall. In the Yuan Dynasty, it has another name Chongwen Pavilion, and got the name of Yilun Hall after the reconstruction between 1403 and 1424 in the Ming Dynasty. Before Piyong Hall was built, it was the hall for emperors giving lectures and after that, it was used as a store house for books. Also Read: The Former Residences of Six Famous Beijing Celebrities Travel Essentials

The Guozijian (Kuo Tzu Chien; simplified Chinese: 国子监; literally "School for the Sons of the State"), sometimes translated as the National School, National Academy, Imperial Academy, Imperial University, Imperial College, Imperial Central School, etc., was the national central institution of higher learnings in Chinese dynasties after the Sui. It was the highest institution of learning in China's traditional educational system. In Vietnam, the Imperial Academy (Vietnamese: Quốc Tử Giám) existed after the Lý dynasty. History Formerly it was called the Taixue, while Taixue for Gongsheng (tribute students) from the populace was still part of Guozijian, along with Guozixue for noble students. The central schools of taixue were established as far back as 3 CE, when a standard nationwide school system was established and funded during the reign of Emperor Ping of Han. When disbanded during the 1898 reform of the Qing Dynasty, the Guozijian was replaced by the Imperial Capital University (also translated as Imperial University of Peking), later known as Peking University. Locations Guozijian were located in the national capital of each dynasty, such as Chang'an, Luoyang and Kaifeng. In Ming there were two capitals; thus there were two Guozijian, one in Nanjing and one in Beijing. In Qing there were also two Guozijian, one in Changsha and one in Beijing. The Guozijian, located in the Guozijian Street (or Chengxian street) in the Dongcheng District, Beijing, the imperial college during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (although most of its buildings were built during the Ming Dynasty) was the last Guozijian in China and is an important national cultural asset. Source

An ongoing painting exhibition, titled Origins of Great Beauty, shows how artists today infuse elements of Confucianism and Taoism into their ink works. The show, which is being held at Beijing's Museum of the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy (Guozijian) through Dec 13, displays some 100 figure paintings, landscapes and flower-and-bird works of the three contemporary Chinese painters Yuan Wu, Cao Wu and Xia Tiaxing. Qin Dailun, the exhibition's curator from the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology, says while Yuan has adopted a realistic approach to enrich the expressiveness of traditional figure painting, Cao’s flower-and-bird works show his concern for ecological changes, and Xia's mountain-and-water paintings reflect the humanistic spirit of ancient painters.